White glazed porcelain with polychrome and gilt painting
Germany, 1740-50
Meissen porcelain manufactory
Underside with underglaze blue crossed swords
Base with gold numbers ‘16’ and ‘5’
Original cover with harbor scene and pine cone finial, numbered ‘16’
Pear-shaped
With landscape painting and figural scenes
Lobed reserves with gold lace cartouches
Height (incl. lid): 17 cm
Provenance: German private collection
A beautiful piece by the world-renowned manufactory, which features decorations painted in the finest manner

Meissen is due to their unmatched high quality porcelain most probably the most famous porcelain factory in Europe if not worldwide. This charming coffeepot dates to 1740-50 and is a great example for Meissen’s unrivaled quality in terms of porcelain and its fine decoration. Dating to the beginnings of the renowned company, the piece on hand serves to show that Meissen’s quality has been extraordinary for over 300 years now. The coffeepot is pear-shaped with a J-handle and a V-spout. The low cover with a slight overlapping rim is finely hand painted with a harbor scene, crowned by a pine cone knob finial. Either side is decorated with a landscape scene framed in a lobed reserve with an intricate gold lace cartouche. ‘Holzschnittblumen’ and gold lace borders surround the pastoral scenes.



The coffeepot is in good condition, but the spout shows an old restored, which has discolored with age, and there is a chip to the foot rim. The inside of the cover shows a restoration (hardly noticeable). There is some loss to the gilding. The base shows the underglaze blue crossed swords mark and the number ‘16’ in gold. The lid is also marked with a number on the inside ‘16’ (rubbed). The height of the pot, including the cover is 17 cm.



Meissen

Porcelain has been available in Europe since the 13th century, but it had to be imported from China. It was mostly of low quality, too, and came at a high price, because the Chinese seldom gave their best wares to foreigners. Europeans tried to copy Chinese porcelain for centuries. 1708 brought success – high quality porcelain could finally be manufactured in Europe; in Meissen. The manufacturer’s mark, the crossed swords in blue, has been in use since 1722 and it is still a symbol of the highest quality porcelain. Meissen celebrated its 300 years anniversary in 2008. Quality has always been the number one priority for Meissen. They have their own quarry, where they source kaolin, also known as china clay, for their production. It takes several years to attain the title of a ‘master painter’ at Meissen. This level of professionalism is clearly evident in the remarkable quality of painting on Meissen porcelain.